Colleagues and friends of Steve Merz, Vice President and Executive Director, Behavioral Health, at Yale-New Haven Hospital, wished the outgoing hospital administrator good luck in his new position at a farewell reception May 19.
Merz is leaving the hospital after 21 years to become President and Chief Executive Officer of Maine Behavioral Healthcare, which formed in 2014 when Spring Harbor Hospital merged with three community mental health care providers, Community Counseling Center, Counseling Services Inc., and Mid-Coast Mental Health Center. The organization has nearly 30 service locations throughout Maine.
While at Yale-New Haven, Merz has had responsibilities for clinical services, strategic planning, facilities, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, and support services. He and others have worked to integrate mental health services into the larger health care system at the hospital.
Merz was presented with a plaque commemorating his years of service by John H. Krystal, MD, Chair of the Yale Department of Psychiatry and Chief of Psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Several colleagues spoke of their fondness for Merz, who said he will miss his hospital family.